driving in snow!?

[Ginevive]

Well, we are supposed to get some snow overnight. Winter is starting. I am nervous because I have never driven in snow. Is it hard? I am shooting around for advice in every angle I can, and thought I'd ask here as well. Any advice? I have a 4x4 Jeep Wrangler with new offroad/snow tires.

[AzureN1ght]

You probably won't be getting much snow tonight so I wouldn't worry about it for now, anyway. With off road/snow tires, you're probably not going to even notice a difference driving in the snow to a normal road! It's only really with all-season/worn out tires that snow driving is really treacherous. Before I got winter-specific tires, I'd have trouble driving up steep hills in the snow (I live in the Berkshire hilltowns when I'm home)--like with sliding/spinning tires.

I got snow tires for last winter and I didn't have ONE slide. Of course, last winter was pretty wimpy... I like my dad's plan--if it's a blizzard outside, just don't drive in it!

Drive slow in the snow, don't make sharp jerks of the wheel, and if you start to slide, gently turn your wheel in the opposite direction of the slide, to even yourself out.

At least, that's the way I learned it! Haven't had a crash yet!

[TekWarren]

4X4 is a bonus to learn with...rear wheel drive can be scary until you learn it though. Best advice...learn by doing and if people are being idiots around you, laugh at them when you pass them by in a ditch or stuck in a drift. I am hearing snow for here tonight also (MI). While I don't claim to be a fan of winter I kinda look forward to it. We switch over to the truck as the primary vehicle in the winter, sadly its not 4x4 but its still heavier than the car and has more lift.

[Ginevive]

We got a dusting today but could get a few inches by nightfall. The weekend is supposed to be warmer, so it should melt off..
I am still nervous but it is one of those "just do it" situations; I have to get to work! Luckily though we get a few emergency days and if it is whiteout situations, I will not budge.

[TekWarren]

We had some small clumps stick last night but this morning its all gone...to warm for any of it to stick yet. You'll do fine driving!

[Ginevive]

It is still goin' out there, but I am not going to let it scare me. If I have to drive 30 mph all the way there, I will! And like you said; I will wave at the people who were going 65 and are in the ditch hopping mad.

[AndrewGeibel]

The snow tires will help a lot. Just remember that 4 wheel drive will help you get going but i won't help you turn significantly better and won't help you stop. But like others said, with a jeep with 4 wheel drive and snow tires you should be good to go.

[littleindiangirl]

I've never had snow tires, 4 wheel drive, traction control, an SUV or off road vehicle and I've never had an accident.
I drive like an old man in snow. People pass me, tail gate, flash me with brights, but I keep on driving slow in my front wheel drive monte carlo. It's worked for me on those really bad days. Slush is the worst for me. Drifts, packed icy snow, ice in general. I can make it through that, but my car loves to slide around on slush. I accelerate like I have the whole green light to make it through the interesection.

Oh yea. At busy 4 way stops, make sure no cars are still coming at you when they have the red and it's icy out. I remember last winter on my drive to work, I had the green light and took off. To my left I saw a car coming at me sideways, my tires were just spinning and I was inching forward. I was like S***!, But I kept accelerating slow, and just as I made it far enough forward I saw the car, still sliding sideways, pass by in my rear view mirror. Close call there. I should have made sure everyone stopped before I started for the intersection.

[2Devious]

I'm so glad I don't live in Upstate NY anymore

Just be extra cautious out on the road.
Brake earlier.
Reduce your speed by about 5-10 mph.
Don't accelerate out of corners as much as you do on dry roads.
Try to follow in the person your following tire tracks.
Avoid out of state license plated vehicles.

Go to a LARGE empty parking lot after you get a good amount of snow. This will let you try out different things to see how you and your vehicle react to situations on slippery streets without the risk of damaging property or harming someone.

Remember, it's not just you that you have to worry about when your out on the slippery roads. You really gotta pay attention to what other people are doing as well. Someone else's crappy judgment call can really affect your day.

[Reptilian]

made sure everyone stops before you start for the intersection.

That's a good rule to follow.

I've only been driving for two years and here in NE Ohio we get snow. I don't like it and I tend to go alittle to fast when the road it still when and then try to stop, resulting in the breaks pumping back at me. I've learned to low down when it snows and don't really care if people pass me. I just leave alittle earlier and just hit the road. My fiance always asks if it is snowing heavliy if he can drive. I am still a newbie compared to others and don't mind him taking over the driving in situtations like that.

I like the one rule another member said, if it's blizzarding outside no driving.